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But following a scrutiny panel meeting last night that decision has been referred back to Cabinet.

Just under 30 bowling campaigners attended the meeting of the Scrutiny Panel for Development and Environment at Huddersfield Town Hall.

Many of them were angry that having been given promises in 2011 by then council leader Mehboob Khan that their sport would be included it has now been ditched.

Clr Cahal Burke, (Lindley, Lib Dem), even went so far as to accuse Clr Khan of not telling the truth saying: “The Labour leader has lied to everybody.”

He led a hard-hitting attack on portfolio holder Peter O’Neill, Cabinet member for communities and leisure, saying his straightforward questions were not being answered.

He wanted the original decision to exclude the bowlers to be referred back to the council, the most powerful option available.

He said: “It’s clear that the decision was not based on all relevant evidence, facts and figures. In order to make that decision, there needs to be open, clear and transparent process and that has not happened.”

And he added: “There’s been a hidden agenda from the very beginning to take bowling out.”

Lib Dem group leader Nicola Turner told the hearing she had also heard a rumour that council leader David Sheard “was talking about removing bowls in February.”

Barry Nicholson, 35, who with his twin Steven have represented Huddersfield in the sport and won medals at the Special Olympic Games, angrily told the meeting: “Why are you taking it away from us? It’s not right.”

Clr Peter O’Neill, cabinet member for communities and leisure, said: “This was an evidence-based decision, based purely on statistics, facts and figures.

“We know that if we did not make the decision to take out the bowling facility, Kirklees Active Leisure would not be able to continue without greater subsidy from the council. In short, we just cannot afford to keep the facility in.”

He added that the surplus from the gym facilities subsidised swimming and other sports across the district.

After a debate lasting several hours, Clr Nigel Patrick, chairman of the panel, said: “This is an emotive issue for those affected.

“As bowlers’ representative organisations were not informed of the change at the earliest opportunity the panel recommends Cabinet amend their recommendation to agree to open dialogue with the bowlers and all relevant organisations including the public, private and voluntary sectors regarding the future provision for bowls.”

Afterwards, Jenny Moorhouse, 66, of Lindley, who bowls in Outlane, said: “I don’t have any confidence in this council. I am very sorry that this issue is not going back to full council. What has happened does not do Kirklees Council any credit.”

And Clr Khan, said afterwards: “In 2011 the council was facing unfair budget cuts from central government of £64m a year. By 2014 due to the mismanagement of public finances the council was facing cuts twice that. Therefore, any commitments given in 2011 have quite rightly had to be reviewed.”